Tree-planting device



June 1,1926. 1,586,676 C. HEATH TREE PLANTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 26, 1923 nvewto'o Patented June 1, 1926.

UNITED" STATES l 1,585,576 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES HEATH, or MORRIS, LLINOIS.

TREE-PLANTING nnvron.

Application filed October 26, 1923. Serial No. 670,924.

This invention relates broadly to the art ottraining and cultivating nursery stock trees and shrubbery, etc. for transplanting purposes, but is more especially concerned with the proper cultivation of young t'ruitbearing trees and the like which obtain their :truitbearing qualities from the soil near the surface of the ground;

The primary object of the invention is to provide novel means for promoting the growth and the vitality of suchyoung trees and to this end embodies a device adapted for use not only as a means of training the roots of the trees so as to cause them to be directed laterally below the surface of the;

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following description wherein the use and prac-' tical application of the same is explained, rei'erence being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein c Figure 1 is a view of a stock tree with the invention applied thereto, thelatter being in section, and Y J c Figure 2 is a top plan view 01" the invention. o

In the proper cultivation of nursery stock trees and shrubs .it is essential to the life of the tree, etc., that the roots be sufliciently watered and in the case of fruit trees which obtain their fruit-bearing qualities from the sub-soil, adjacent thesurface of the ground, it is important that the roots be trained to locate also adjacent the surface of the ground. Otherwise, the center or a root of the tree will penetrate to such a depth below the sun-warmec surface or the ground as to eventually become chilled, resulting in the root dying out-and leaving the center or heart of the tree in a gradually decaying state. The consequent result is that the tree develops from first having only a dead top to a finally hollow trunk which, of course,

results in the destruction of the fruit-bearng qualities of the tree and its consequent loss.

The present invention is designed to e'z'iininate this possible dying, out of the tree from the results above stated and is theretore constructed so as. toprevent the roots from penetrating downward beyond a suit-l able distance. This is accomplished in the present instance, by the provision of the pan 10 having the sides flaring outwardly as the top of the pan is approached. This pan is adapted to receive and support the young tree or shrub indicated at 11 and is,

to be made in any size required. It is pre-' 'iterred, however. that the pan be one inch or more longerin diameter than the spread of the roots across the top, and'it may be of any material, such as coke tin, as will decompose. "EXtGDCllDg outwardly from adjacent the top of the pan' is an integrally formed flange 12 having a sli ht taper r slope, as shown. The pan is of imperforate vmaterial so as to hold water, a suitable quan tity of which is supplied thereto through tube 13.

Tube 13 consists of a convenient length of pipe having a strainer 14- at its lower end and a removable funnel 15 at its upper end. This tube'is adapted to be mounted on pan 10 and is provided, adjacent its lower end,

with a flexible spring clasp 16 arranged to engage over the flange 12 of the pan for support-mg the tubein either vertical posi-- tion as shown in the full line'ot Figure 1, or in the tilted position as indicated in the dotted line structure. It'will thus be seen that the tube is supported on one side of the pan and spaced apart from the plant with than the pan which is then'placed therein.

The-pan should beset level, whichcan be readily detern'uned by-placing about one nch of water in the pan. Vlhen the pan is level the tree or shrub is then placed in con ter of pan and pipe 13, with the funnel attached thereto, is engaged with the flange generous supply of water is placed in the tube 1-3 and funnel 15. In this connectlon it may be noted that more water is to be supplied to the tree when first planted than at subsequent stages in its growth.

From the above arrangementit will be seen that the soil enveloping the roots of the tree is plentitully supplied with moisture at all times, even in medium dry seasons when it is most diliicult to adequately supply the roots with moisture necessary to promote the growth of the tree regardless of how often or how much the surface ground is watered.

As the tree develops in growth the roots are constrained by the bottom and sides of the pan to move upwardly in a circle so that they will glance oil the taper flange 12 by which they are directed laterally so as to be properly located with respect to the surface ground from which they obtain sustenance to the proper growth and cultivation of the tree.

From the above it will be seen that the invention provides convenient means for planting nursery stock trees and shrubs, etc and at the same time assures the etlicient watering of the roots. The arrangement of the tree-supporting receptacle and the removable funnel-bearing tube insures, also, a reservoir of water wnich is constantly ted to the tree for long periods.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 2-- 1. A tree-planting device comprising a shallow plant-rece1i tacle having a flaring side wall terminating at its upper end in a laterally directed flange, and a watering cevice consisting of a tube having a clasp adjacent its lower end for detachable connection with the said flange, said clasp serving as a support for holding the tube in upright position with its lower end bearing on the inside face of the said flaring side wall of the receptacle.

2. A tree-planting device comprising a shallow plant receptacle having a flaring side Wall terminating at its upper end in a laterally directed flange, and a watering device consisting of a tube having a clasp adjacent its lower end for detachable connection with the said flange, said clasp serving to support the tube in upright position with. its lower end bearing on the inside face of the said flaring side wall of the receptacle and. being sutliciently flexible to permit inclination of the tube "from an upright to a slightly tilted position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES HEATH. 

